NCT07275086

Therapeutic Outcomes of Using Complementary Hand-based Treatment in Diabetes

Therapeutic Outcomes of Using Complementary Hand-based Treatment in Diabetes (TOUCH-D): A Pilot Single-group Feasibility Study Evaluating Biological and Psychological Effects of Swedish Massage in Adults With Type 1 Diabetes.

• Status: Not Yet Recruiting
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 20 (estimated)
• Sponsor: University Hospital, Linkoeping · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 18 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

This pilot study evaluates potential biological and psychological effects of Swedish massage in adults with type 1 diabetes. Massage may influence stress-related mechanisms, such as hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis activity and inflammation, which are linked to impaired insulin sensitivity and glycemic control. Twenty participants with type 1 diabetes will receive weekly 45-60-minute Swedish massage sessions for five weeks. Biological outcomes include HbA1c, fasting glucose, copeptin, hs-CRP, IL-6, and TNF-α. Glycemic variability will be assessed using continuous glucose monitoring (CGM). Psychological outcomes include perceived stress (PSS-10) and anxiety (GAD-7). The study aims to explore feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary within-group effects on stress regulation and glycemic balance

Conditions

• Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
BEHAVIORAL	Swedish massage	Participants receive Swedish massage once weekly for five consecutive weeks. Each 45-60-minute session is delivered by a licensed massage therapist using traditional Swedish techniques (kneading, gliding, and tapping) focusing on the back, shoulders, and neck. The intervention aims to promote relaxation and modulate stress-related biological systems. The study uses a single-group pre-post design to explore biological and psychological effects and feasibility.

Timeline

• Start date: 2026-09-01
• Primary completion: 2026-11-01
• Completion: 2027-02-01
• First posted: 2025-12-10
• Last updated: 2025-12-10

Locations

1 site across 1 country: Sweden